NSW government has pledged more than $200 million in water security investments across the state in the lead up to the March 28 election.
It pledged to invest $117 million to secure Broken Hill’s water supply if it is returned to government, and committed $110m of existing funds to be spent on regional water supply upgrades.
The $117m pledge would fund an investigation of the city’s water storages and construction of new infrastructure.
Water Minister and Barwon MP Kevin Humphries said solutions to be considered include: access to emergency groundwater sources, reactivation of an existing reverse osmosis facility, leasing filtration units to supplement supply and a pipeline from the Murray River would be considered.
Nationals Leader Troy Grant announced the plan today with Mr Humphries.
He said the government had “delivered a plan that will secure the future of the city’s water supply”.
The money for town water security will go to projects in 71 towns across the state to clear what the government described as a backlog of sewage treatment in the bush.
“For too long, some of our smallest rural towns have suffered inadequate wastewater treatment,” Mr Humphries said.
“Some towns have been dealing with these issues for up to 20 years, as they waited for successive governments to deliver the funds and stop kicking the can along.”
Among the 71 towns to receive funding are Bourke, Willow Tree, Jerilderie, Yass and Cowra. The money will flow from the Restart NSW infrastructure fund.
